Theatrical apparatus.



NA 844,207. PATPNTPD PPB.12, 1907.

P. P. sTALEY.

THPATR'IGAL APPARATUS.

APLIOATION FILED FEB. 1. 1906.

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ATTORNEYS 1H: mmms PETERS co.. wsmNafuN. n, v;

No. 844,207., PATBNTED PEB. 12, 1907.

1m. STALBY.

THEATRIGAL APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 1. 1/906,

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W/ TNE SSE S A' /N VEN TOH rn: namens Pmsns ca, WASH/Nara". v. c.

PATENTED FEB. 12, 1907.

` R. P. STALEY. THEATRIGAL APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 1. 1906.

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s ,5 3 if .jf ff Z 2f 1 2f f6 .f f f H jf ff g Y l @wb @Mw a A@ l By M l Amm/EVS No. 844,207. l I PATENTED FEB. l2, 1907.

' R. P. STALEY.

THEATRICAL APPARATUS. APPLIOATION FILED rms. 1. moe.

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ATTORNEYS nl: Noam: PETER: cu.. WASHINGTON, n c.

No. 844,207. PATBNTED FEB. 12, 1907. -R.P.sTALEY."

THEATRICAL APPARATUS.

APILIOATION FILE-D PEB. 1. 1906.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

l i515' l PWPJEZQZ A TTOHNE YS THE NoRRls PETERS co., wAsHlrmamw. c.

No. 844,207. PATENTED PEB. 12, 1907.

R. P. STALEY.

THEATRICAL APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION FILED FEB. 1. 1906.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

W/TNESSES.'

/N VE N TOH n E By l v l 27d/Ma ATTORNEYS i narran strains PATENT OFFE.

THEATRICAL APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 12, 1907.

Application led February l, 1906. Serial N0. 298.936.

To @ZZ 107mm t may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD FELIX STA- LEY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Theatrical Apparatus, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of the invention is to provide certain new and useful improvements in theatrical apparatus whereby a group of stage properties representing a set of articles belonging to one scene may be almost instantly transformed to a set of different articles belonging to an entirely different scene-for instance, changing a scene representing a cooper-shop to one representing the interior of a room-the transformation taking place without changing the position of the properties on the stage.

The invention consists of novel featuresand parts and combinations of the same, which will be more fully described hereinafter and then pointed out in the claims.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indica`.e corresponding paris in all the views.

Figure 1 is a rear face view of a theatrical property in the form of an anvil. Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation of 'the same. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 4 is a side elevaiion of the same theatrical property transformed to represent a pedestal. Fig. 5 is a sectional side elevation of the same. Fig. 6 is a front face view of the theatrical property in the form of a half-barrel. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 8 is a rear face view ofthe same. Fig. 9 is a front face view of the same theatrical property transformed into a screen. Fig. 10 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 11 is a rear face view of the same. Fig. 12 is a front face view of a theatrical property representing a barrel. Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of the same. Fig. 14 is aside elevation of the same property transformed into a table and vase. Fig. 15 is 'an enlarged plan view oi' the same. Fig. 16 is a front elevation of a theatrical property representing a tub. Fig. 17 is a transverse section of the same. Fig. 1S is a plan view of the same. Fig. 19 is a front elevaiion of the same theatrical property transformed into a chair and rug. Fig. 20 is a plan view oi` the same. Fig. 21 is a rear face view of the same, and Fig. 22 is a diagrammatic plan view of a scene containing the several properties and representing in the one form a cooper shop and when transformed the furniture of a room.

The stage apparatus illustrated in Fig. 22 consists of the stage properties A, B, O, and D, grouped on the stage and representing in one form the paraphernalia of a cooper shopthat is, an anvil, Fig. 1, a half-barrel, Fig. 6, a barrel, Fig. l2, and a tub, Fig. 16-and when the said properties are transformed by an operator pnlling a concealed string E from the rear of the stage then the properties A, B, O, and D represent the furniture of a roomthat is, a pedestal with a vase, Fig. 4', ascreen, Fig. 7, a table with a vase and books thereon, Fig. 14, and a chair and rug, Fig. 19,' respectively.

The stage property A thus comprises a combination anvil and pedestal supporting a vase and is capable of being transformed from an anvil into a pedestal, and vice versa. The detailed construction of this stage property A is as follows, special reference being had to Figs. 1 to 5: On a suitably-constructed base F is erected a column F, preferably open at the rear and supporting at its upper end a polygonal frame F2, representing the top of an anvil, and the `pper ends ofthe opposite sides of the said frame F2 are connected by flaps F4, representing the points of the anvil, the said flaps being provided at the under sides with pieces of black cloth F5, extending to the lower ends of the sides of the frame F2 to give a more complete anvil appearance to the structure. On the base F is arranged a box-like structure F, connected at the i pper ends of its front and sides by spring-hinges F7, with flaps F8 forming extensions of the box-like structure F 6, the latter and the extensions representing the base-block for the anvil, as will be readily understood by reference to Figs. 1, 2, and 3. l/Vithin the boxlike strlictnre Fj and its extended flaps F s is normally concealed a bottomless vase G, having an outwardly-extending bottom flange G, mounted to slide on the column F', which when raised is adapted to inclose the frame F2 and the flaps FAk when the latterare folded, as will be understood by reference to Figs. 4 and 6. The vase G is hung on a plurality of ropes G2, extending upwardly outside of the column F and passing over guidepulleys G3, j ournaled in the frame F 2, and the s ring-hinges F3 with triangular C O D IOO IIO

y the ropes G2.

said ropes G2' terminate in asring G1, engaged by a pin G5, forming part of a trigger device, and engaging lugs G3, held on the top of a weight G', arranged within the column F. Normally the weight G7 is held in an uppermost position by a rod G3, (see Fig. 1,) connected with the weight G7 and engaged at its upper end by a pin E', forming part of a trigger device and slidably held in lugs F3, attached to the rear of the frame F2. rThe pin E is connected with the string E, previously mentioned, and passes through an eye E2, attached to the frame F2, tothen extend downward into the box-like structure F5, to pass through an opening E3 therein to the outside and tothe rear of the stage, as shown in Fig. 22. Now when the operator pulls on this string E then the trigger-pin E is withdrawn from the lugs F9 and the rod G3, and consequently the weight G7 is released and drops down in the hollow column F', thus pulling on the ropes G2 to lift the vase G into an uppermost position. At the saine time the flaps F3 are swung downward and outward onto the outer sides of the box-like structure F, and for this purpose each flap F2 is connected at its upper end with a rope F10, passing over a guide-pulley F11, journaled on the flap F8, and then the rope F10 passes through an aperture in the corresponding side of the box-like structure FG to the interior thereof, to then pass over an eye F12, attached to the base F, the rope F10 then connecting with the vase G. When. the latter moves upward, a pull is exerted on the rope F10 to swing the flaps F8 downward against the outer side of the box-like structure F3, as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. yThe flaps F1, representing the anvil-points, are swung inward onto the top F15 of the frame F2 at the time the weight G7 drops downward, and for this purpose each of the fiaps F1 is connected with one end of a rope F13, extending into the frame F2 and passing under guide-pulleys F11 to connect with the ring G1 the same as To the base-flange G is secured the upper end of a tubular fabric material G3, normally folded between the flange G and the base F, (see Fig. 2,) and when the vase G slides upward, as previously explained, then the tubular fabric G8 is extended and completely incloses the column F'. (See Figs. 4 and 5.) The top F15 of the frame F2 is preferably in the form of metallic bars, adapted to be sounded when struck with hammers or the like.

From the foregoing it will be seen that by simply pulling the rope E the stage property A is transformed from an anvil into a pedestal supporting a base.

In order to transform the pedestal and vase shown in Figs. 4 and 5 back into the anvil, it is only necessary to withdraw the trigger-pin G5, and for this purpose a rope E1 is connected with the trigger-pin G5, and this rope extends over a pulley E5, journaled in the upper end of the column F. Then the rope'extends downward within the column and passes over a pulley E6 and finally through an opening E7 in the back of the boxlike structure F6 to the rear of the stage. Now when the operator pulls this rope E1 at the time the weight G7 is in a lowermost position (shown in Fig. 5) then the pin G5 is withdrawn, thus releasing the ropes G2 and F13. When this takes place, the vase G by its own weight slides down on the column F thus slackening the rope F10 to allow the springhinges F7 to return the flaps F8 to their normal extended positions. (Shown in Figs. 1 and 2.) At the same time the ropes F13 are slaclrened to allow the spring-hinges F3 to return the flaps F1 to their extended positions. Thus it will be seen that the vase G slides down into the box-like structure F3, to be concealed therein.

It is understood that for resetting the stage property for again transforming the anvil back into the pedestal it is necessary for the operator to lift the weight G7 and connect the same with the trigger-pin E' and also to reinsert the trigger-pin G5. I

The detailed construction of the stage property B is as follows, special reference being had to Figs. 6 to 11: On a suitably-constructed base H is erected a central fold H', forming part of a screen and having its sides connected by hinges H2 with the side folds H3, painted on their outside to represent staves and hoops of a barrel, as plainly indicated in Fig. 6, the outer faces of the folds H3 being segmental, so that when the folds H3 y are folded into the position shown in Figs. 6 and 7 then the stage property has the appearance of a barrel when looked at from the front. When the folds H3 are extended, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, then the opposite faces are visible from the front of the stage, the folds then having the appearance of a screen. The upper end of the fold H is connected by hinges H1 with'the top H5, and hinges H6 on the upper ends of the folds H3 connect with tops H7 for the said folds H3. Each of the folds H3 is connected at its outer side 'with the ends of ropes I, passing over pulleys I', journaled on the back of the fold H', to then connect 'with springs I2, hooked to the back of the fold H. Similar ropes I3 are connected at one end to the inside of the side folds H3 and then extend to the back of the central fold H to pass over pulleys I1, journaled on the central fold H', the ropes I3 then connecting with a spring I5, hooked onto the back of the fold H'. Now when the side folds H3 are in a closed position they are locked therein by a trigger-pin J, held on a rope J', extending over a pulley J2, arranged at one side of the central foldH' and near the bottom thereof, and the said trigger-pin J engages a locking device J3 for locking the ICO side folds H3 in the closed position. (Shown in Figs. 6, 7, and 8.) A trigger-pin J4 engages a connection I of the spring l5 and also lugs J5, arranged on the back of the central fol-d H, so as to hold the spring 15 in an extended position at the time the side folds H3 are extended to represent a screen. The trigger-- pin J4 is connected to one end of a rope J5, passing over pulleys J7 to the rear of the stage, the same as the rope J. The tops H5 and H7 for the folds H and H3 are connected with the latter by elastie straps H3, and the I said tops H7 are also connected with elastic straps H3, extending to the back of the central fold H, as will be readily understood by reference to Fig. 10. N ow assuming that the several parts are in the positions illustrated in Figs. 6, 7, and 8 and it is desired to change the appearance of the property from the barrel to a screen, then it is only necessary for the operator to pull on the rope J to withdraw the trigger-pin J from the locking device J3 to permit the springs 13 to exert a pull on the ropes I, so that the folds H3 are swung into an open position, and the said folds H3 now allow the elastic straps H3 to raise the tops H5 and H7. l/Vhen it is desired to change the property back from the screen form into the barrel form, then it is necessary for the oper-ttor io first unhook the springs I3 and then pull the rope J6 to withdraw the triggerpin J 1, thereby allowing the spring l5 to exert a pull on the ropes I3 to swing the side folds H3 into a closed position to represent the barrel, as previously mentioned, the elastic straps H3 pulling the tops H5 and H7 down into a horizontal position on the closing of the side folds H3.

The detailed construction of the stage property C is as follows, special reference being had to Figs. 12 to 15: On a suitably-constructed base K is erected a frame K, representing in outline. the lower tapering and the middle cylindrical portion of a barrel, and on the said frame K is mounted to slide or telescope an auxiliary frame or slide K3, connected at its upper end by a fabric material K3 with the upper end of the frame K, so

vthat when the slide K3 is extended, as shown in Figs. 12 and 13, then the fabric material K3 represents the upper tapering portion of the barrel. The slide K3 is held in an extended uppermost position by a link K4, connected with the slide K3 and engaged at its upper end by a trigger-pin K5, also engaging lugs K5, arranged on the top K7 of the frame K. A rope K8 is connected with the triggerpin K5 and extends down in the frame K to pass over a pulley K3, liournaled on the base K, the rope K3 then extending to the outside of the stage property. A spring Klo is connected with the slide K3 and also with a rope K11, passing under a pulley K13, journaled on the base K, the rope then extending upward on the outside of the frame K to connect with the upper end thereof at an eye or hook K13. Vhen the several parts are in the posi- *f tion shown in Fig. 13, the slide K3 is locked in l an uppermost position, and when a pull is exerted on the rope Ks and the trigger-pin K5 is withdrawn, then the link K1 is released and the slide K3 is caused to slide downward on the frame K by its own weight and by the action of the spring K10.

A number of table-tops L are connected at I their inner ends by hinges L with the top K7 of the frame K, and the said table-tops L are held in an inclined position by resting with g their upper ends against the under side of the slide K3 at the time the latter is in an extended position. On the table-tops L is secured the inner edge of a table-cover L3, provided on its outer edge with a weight L3, and when the slide K3 is released and moves into a tele- I scoping position, then the table-tops L swing I outward and the weight L3 drops down, so that the table-cover L3 is extended down over the outside of the frame K, as plainly shown .in Fig. 13, thereby disclosing books L1 or other ornaments attached to the tabletops L and also a vase Nor the like held centrally on the top K7. (See Fig. 14.)

From the foregoing it will be seen that by the arrangement described the barrel can be readily transformed into a table having a table-cover and supporting a vase N and other ornaments L4.

In order to permit of transforming this table back into the barrel, the following arrangement is made: Within the bottomless vase N is a weight N connected with ropes N3, extending over pulleys N3 and attached to the outer edge of the table-cloth L3. The

weight N is normally supported on a trapdoor N1, hinged at one end to the top K7 and connected at its free end by a link N5, engaged at its upper end by a trigger-pin N5, also engaging lugs or eyes N7, arranged in the vase N. By this arrangement the trap-door N 1 is held in a horizontal position, thus supporting the weight N. A rope N8 is connected with the trigger-pin N3 and extends over pulleys Nn N10, located in the vase N and the base K, respectively. The rope N 3 after leaving' the pulley N10 extends to the outside of the theatrical property C. On a bracket l 11, attached to the base K, is hinged a trap-door O in vertical alinement with the weight N and connected at its free end with i one end of a rope O, extending upwardly l and passing 'over a pulley O3, arranged on the top K7, the upper end of the rope O connecting with a trigger-pin O3, engaging lugs or eyes O4, held on the top K7. A link O5 is l hung on the trigger-pin O3 and supports a weight O5, connected by a normally slack rope O7, l slide K3. N ow when the stage property repl resents a table and it is desired to transform l the same back into a barrel it is only necesextending over a pulley O3, with the i necting with a spring P6, attached to the base the tub and hinged to the front end of the Thus when the theatrical property represents a chair, then the front and sides of the tub represent a rug spread in front of the chair, as plainly indicated in Fig. 20. When sary to exert a pull on the rope N8, so that the trigger-pin NG is withdrawn to release the link N5 and trap-door N4, and thereby allow the weight N to drop. The latter in doing so exerts a pull on the ropes N2 to draw up i the theatrical property represents a tub, then the table-cloth L2. rPhe weight N in dropl the back P2 is folded and locked to the front ping finally engages the trap-door O and i R, as previously explained, and the sides R2 swings the same downward, so that the trapand R3 of the tub extend and fold against the door O by the rope O causes a withdrawal of l sides of the chair P. When the trigger-pin Q is withdrawn, as previously explained,

the trigger-pin O3 to release the link O5 and then the theatrical property representing the weight Of. The latter now drops and in doing so exerts a pull on the rope O2, which now tub is almost instantly transformed into a l chair with a rug spread in front of it. In ordraws the slide K2 up into its extended position, the weight O being sufficiently heavy der to retransf'orm this property into a tub, to overcome the spring K1, which is thus put l the following arrangement is made: The under tension. rfhe slide K2 in rising enfront R is connected at its rug side with one gages the free ends of the table-tops L, thus or more ropes R2, extending under pulleys R5 swinging the latter up into an inclined posil l and up tnrough eyes in arms P8, secured to tion. rPhe slide K2 now conceals the vase N, l the rear face of the back P2 of the chair` the as well as the table-tops L and table-cloth L2. ropes then being attached to the back P2, as 'The detailed construction of the theatrical plainly shown in Figs. 18 and 21. Similar property D is as follows, special reference beropes R6 and R7 connect with the rug-faces ing had to Figs. 16 to 20: On a suitable base of the sides R2 and R3 of the tub and extend P are secured the legs of a chair P, having a under pulleys Rs and R2, held on the base P, back P2, connected by hinged P3 with the to then pass through the eyes of the arms P8, rear of the seat of. the chair P', so that the to be 'finally attached to the back P2 of the back P2 can be folded down upon the seat, as 1 chair. Now when the back P2 is swung plainly indicated in Figs. 17 and 1S. Nordownward and forwardly into a folded posimally the back P2 is held in an extended pol tion on top of the seat of the 'chair P, then sition by the action of a rope P4, attached to the arms PS exert a pull on the ropes R4, R, the back P2 and extending over a pulley P5, and R7 to swing the front R up against the journaled on the said baclnthe rope then confront of the chair and to swing the sides R2 and R3 against the sides of the chair. After the back P2 is swung downward into a folded position it is locked in place therein by in.- serting the trigger-pin Q into the eye After the several theatrical properites A, B, C, and D are set in their proper places on the stage, as indicated in Fig. 22, then the several properties are connected with each other and with the rope E, previously mentioned, so that all the theatrical properties are controlled from a single source for almost instantly transforming the theatrical properties from one form to another. The arrangement is as follows: The rope J of the barrel and screen propertyB, the rope K8 of the barrel and table property C, and the rope Q2 of the tub and chair property D are connected with the rope E of the anvil and pedestal device A, and when the several properties are set up in the form of anvil, half-barrel, tub, and barrel and the operator pulls the rope E, then the pins E, J, K5, and Q of the several trigger devices are simultaneously withdrawn, so that the several properties are almost instantly transformed into a pedestal, a screen, a table with a vase, and a chair 'with a rug in front of it. Now for retransforining the properties it is necessary for an operator to press down the back P2 of the chair and lock it in place by inserting the trigger-pin Q into the eye P7, as before ex- To the back P2 of the chair P is se- T, which extends with the ropes P. The back P2 is locked in the foldedposition and against the tension of the spring Pi by a trigger-pin Q, extending through an eye d to the free end of the front R of base P. The eye Q extends through an opening P2 in the back P2, and when the trigger-pin Q engages the said eye, as plainly shown in Figs. 17 and 1S, then the back P2 is looked in a folded position to the front R of the tub. .The trigger-pin R is held on one endlof a rope Q2, extending through an eye Q3 and over a pulley Q2, both eye and pulley being held on the back P2 of the chair, the rope Q2 then passing under a pulley Q5, journaled on the stage-floor immediately in the rear of the property D, as plainly indicated in the drawings. Now when a pull is exerted on the rope Q2, then the trigger-pin Q is withdrawn from the eye Q', thus freeing both the l back P2 and the front R of the tubv to allow the spring P to swing theback P2 into the extended position and to allow the front R to swing downward in front of the chair, as plainly indicated in Fig. 20. The front R of the tub is connected at its sides by hinges R with the sides R2 and R3 of the tub, and the said front, as well as the sides R2 and R3, imitate on their outer faces staves and hoops of a tub, as indicated in Fig. 16, and on the opposite faces the said front R and the sides R2 plained. and R3 are provided with rug material. cured a rope IOO R4 and R7 through the eye of the corresponding arm P8, (see Figs. 1S and 21,) and this rope T passes under a pulley T and connects 'With the rope E4 of the theatrical property A and controlling the pin G5 of the trigger device for releasing the ropes G2 and F13 to alloT the vase G to descend and the flaps F4 to swing outward, as above explained in reference to Figs. 1, 2, and 3. The rope T also connects With the rope J of the theatrical property B and controlling the pin Jt of the trigger device for releasing' the spring I5, as above explained with reference to Figs. 6 to ll. The rope T also connects With the rope \l8 of the theatrical property C and controll ling the pin N 6 of the trigger device for releasing the trap-door N 4 and the Weight N as previously explained in reference to Figs. 12 t0 15.

It is understood that I do not limit myself i to the particular form given to the theatrical properties as shown and described, as the same may be varied Without deviating from the invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. A theatrical apparatus comprising a plurality of theatrical properties, each representing a plurality of distinct articles, means for actuating the said properties from a single l source for transforming the articles into another form, and means for actuating the said properties from a single source for returning them to their original form.

2. A theatrical apparatus comprising a group of theatrical properties, each representing distinct articles and capable of being transformed from one article to another, means connected With the several properties for simultaneously transforming the same, and means connected With the several properties for vsimultaneously returning them to.

their original form.

3. A theatrical apparatus comprising a group of theatrical properties, each representing distinct articles and each capable of being transformed from one article to another and Without changing the positions of the properties on the stage, concealed means multaneously transforming the same to instantly change the scene, and concealed means connected With the properties for simultaneously returning them to their origil nal form. i 4. A theatrical apparatus comprising a group of theatrical properties, each representing an article belonging to a cooper-sho p, and apiece of furniture for a room, means for transforming the said properties in unison from one form to the other form, and means for returning them in unison to their original form.

5. A theatrical apparatus comprising the following theatrical properties, namely 5 a l combination barrel and screen, a combinal tion anvil and pedestal, acombination tub l and chair, and a combination barrel and tal ble, means for simultaneously transforming i the articles from the one form to the other form, and means for simultaneously returning them to their original form.

6. A theatrical apparatus comprising a group of theatrical properties, each representing an article belonging to a cooper-shop, and a piece of furniture for a room, means for l transforming the said properties in unison l from the one form to the other form, and l means for returning them in unison to their original form, each of said means being manually controlled from a common source.

I 7. A theatrical apparatus comprising a group of theatrical properties, each representing an article belonging to a cooper-shop and a piece of furniture for a room, means for simultaneously transforming-the said proper- ,I ties from the one form to the other, and l means for simultaneously returning them to l their original form, the said properties rel maining in their relative positions on the l stage during the transformation and the return to their original position. i In testimony 'whereof I have signed my ,l name to this specification in the presence of l t'Wo subscribing Witnesses.

RICHARD FELIX STALEY.

Witnesses:

THEO. G. HosTnR, EVERARD B. MARSHALL.

[ connected with the several properties for sil 

